Sunday, March 27, 2011

On April 1-2, Harvard University will play host to an event called the "Social Transformation Conference," sponsored by the Harvard Extension Service and Leadership Society, featuring some of the most vocal, aggressive, and virulent leaders from the religious right -- people who blame homosexuality, Islam, and women's rights for the downfall of America, and who have financial ties to efforts in Uganda to pass an Anti-Homosexuality Bill that would institute the death penalty or life imprisonment for LGBT people.

The guests at this conference include:

- Dr. Lance Wallnau, who recently said: "You've got Islam invading the United States. So you've got your homosexual activity, your abortion activity here, Islam coming in, you've got a financial collapse -- all of this, to those of us who are Christians, is an apocalyptic confirmation that when you remove God from public discourse, when you don't line up your thinking with kingdom principles, you inevitably hit an iceberg like the Titanic and you go down."

- Larry Bizette, who fought against efforts in Baton Rouge to recognize LGBT people, by telling city leaders that if they recognized gay folks, it would be akin to honoring "sin" and an "abomination."

- Dr. Jerry Anderson, whose organization, the La Red Business Network, adheres to a "morality" policy that believes same-sex marriage and reproductive rights should be outlawed in every facet of society.

- Dr. Bil Hamon, who believes that homosexuality is akin to incest and sex with animals, and who argues on his Web site that people should adhere to the biblical principle that homosexuality should be punished by execution.

Why is Harvard University and the Harvard Extension Service and Leadership Society willing to put their name, branding, and sponsorship all over this event? Is this the type of event on campus that creates an environment that honors Harvard's rich commitment to students of varying faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and religions? Absolutely not.

Send Harvard a message that this conference doesn't belong on campus with the University's support and sponsorship. This event is giving a platform to some of the most hateful and vengeful rhetoric on the religious right -- targeted at LGBT people, women, Muslims, and anyone considered an "other". It doesn't belong at Harvard.

Petition Letter

Dear Dean Neugeboren and the Harvard Extension Student Association

I'm writing today about an event scheduled for April 1-2 -- and sponsored by the Harvard Extension Service and Leadership Society -- that will bring to campus some of the most virulent, aggressive, and vocal leaders from the religious right. This event is being branded as a Harvard University event, and says that it is being cosponsored by the Harvard Extension Service and Leadership Society. Please see the Web site for this event here: http://socialtransformation2011.org/.

This event is concerning on a number of levels, but perhaps no more so than the fact that several of the speakers attending the event have a track record of aggressive, violent and brutal rhetoric directed toward gays and lesbians, women, and members of the Islamic faith. A few of the speakers that will present at this Harvard-sponsored event:

- Dr. Lance Wallnau, who recently said: "You've got Islam invading the United States. So you've got your homosexual activity, your abortion activity here, Islam coming in, you've got a financial collapse -- all of this, to those of us who are Christians, is an apocalyptic confirmation that when you remove God from public discourse, when you don't line up your thinking with kingdom principles, you inevitably hit an iceberg like the Titanic and you go down."

- Os Hillman, who is a close colleague and financial backer of a minister in Uganda named Julius Oyet, who has perhaps been the most vocal religious leader urging for passage of the country's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, colloquially known as the "Kill the Gays" bill.

- Larry Bizette, who fought against efforts in Baton Rouge to recognize LGBT people, by telling city leaders that if they recognized gay folks, it would be akin to honoring "sin" and an "abomination."

- Dr. Jerry Anderson, whose organization, the La Red Business Network, adheres to a "morality" policy that believes same-sex marriage and reproductive rights should be outlawed in every facet of society.

- Dr. Bil Hamon, who believes that homosexuality is akin to incest and sex with animals, and who argues on his Web site that people should adhere to the biblical principle that homosexuality should be punished by execution.

I am shocked that Harvard Extension students would lend their name to an event like this, with speakers who purport such violent and aggressive messages toward people of different faiths, genders, and sexual orientations. I'm also doubly shocked that Harvard University would allow this conference to be hosted on campus, given the University's commitment to inclusion of students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, as well as students who are women and members of the Islamic faith.

This event, branded as a Harvard University-sponsored event, is damaging to the school's reputation, and will only legitimize the rhetoric and political platforms of extremely conservative members of the religious right.

I urge you to pull your sponsorship of this event. Harvard should not be in the business of hosting speakers who say that gays, women, and Muslims are "hellish" and responsible for the downfall of the United States. Please do not sponsor this event, and allow Harvard's image to be branded on it.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Around the world, people like you and me are responding in any way we can to help Japan. But one of the easiest ways to help - texting to give by mobile - actually isn't the help it sounds like.

During the response to Haiti, cellphone companies processed mobile donations to relief organizations right away. But for Japan, they aren't making this same exception and it could take as much as 90 days for donations to reach people in need.

Please help convince them to immediately processes donations so donations reach where they are needed now.

For more information visit the mGiving Foundation: "How long does it take for my charity to receive the funds? In response to the Haiti Relief Effort, carriers are remitting donations immediately to nonprofit organizations. Generally, the typical time frame for remittance is based upon the billing cycles of the donors and can take, on average, 90 days from time of donation for the charity to receive the funds."

Winning this campaign depends on our ability to call on thousands of supporters like you. After signing this petition, please follow us on Facebook

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Exodus International, the notorious "ex-gay" organization, has just released an iPhone app that, according to its website, is "designed to be a useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders." The Exodus website further boasts that its app received a 4+ rating from Apple, meaning that it contains "no objectionable content." No objectionable content? We beg to differ. Exodus' message is hateful and bigoted. They claim to offer "freedom from homosexuality...

Exodus International, the notorious "ex-gay" organization, has just released an iPhone app that, according to its website, is "designed to be a useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders." The Exodus website further boasts that its app received a 4+ rating from Apple, meaning that it contains "no objectionable content."

No objectionable content? We beg to differ. Exodus' message is hateful and bigoted. They claim to offer "freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ" and use scare tactics, misinformation, stereotypes and distortions of LGBT life to recruit clients. They endorse the use of so-called "reparative therapy" to "change" the sexual orientation of their clients, despite the fact that this form of "therapy" has been rejected by every major professional medical organization including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Counseling Association. But reparative therapy isn't just bad medicine -- it's also very damaging to the self-esteem and mental health of its victims.

This new iPhone app is the latest move in Exodus' dangerous new strategy of targeting youth. In light of the recent wave of LGBT youth suicides, this tactic is particularly galling as it creates, legitimizes, and fuels the ostracism of LGBT youth by their families. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, LGBT teens who experienced negative feedback from their family were 8 times more likely to have attempted suicide, 6 times as vulnerable to severe depression, and 3 times more likely to use drugs (Caitlin Ryan, San Francisco State University, June 2009).

Apple's app guidelines released in September last year detailed rules on how the company decides what can and cannot be sold through its store: "Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harms way will be rejected," the company states.

Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it is giving the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a "sin that will make your heart sick" and a "counterfeit." This is a double standard that has the potential for devastating consequences.

Apple needs to be told, loud and clear, that this is unacceptable. Stand with Truth Wins Out -- demand that the iTunes store stop supporting homophobia and remove the Exodus app.

UpdateAmazing! After more than 150,000 petition signatures from Change.org members and saturation media coverage, news outlets worldwide are reporting that Apple has pulled an iPhone application launched by Exodus International that claimed to help "cure" gay and lesbian people.

This is a huge, public victory against the dangerous myth that gay young people can and should be "turned straight" -- a falsehood that contributes to the plague of depression and suicide afflicting these kids and young adults. Our friends at Truth Wins Out, the organization that started the petition on Change.org, are absolutely thrilled.

Apple did the right thing because an incredible 151,125 Change.org members -- including you -- stood together to demand it. We spread the word on Facebook more than 55,000 times. And together we attracted the attention of media around the globe, including CNN, MSNBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and hundreds of newspapers and blogs.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Arab League has just formally proposed a resolution at the UN Security Council to create a no-fly zone over Libya. After weeks of international deadlock, this is the moment of truth -- and if we don't persuade the UN to act now, we could see in Libya one of the worst bloodbaths of our new century.

Qaddafi's forces are crushing the rebellion town by town. If they retake the country, brutal retribution awaits Libyans who challenged the regime. Already, reports of torture and killing are flowing from retaken areas.

Ordinary Libyans are asking if the world has abandoned them. The Avaaz community is deeply committed to non-violence, but enforcing a no-fly zone to ground Qaddafi's gunships is one case where UN-backed military action seems necessary. Polls of our community show 86% of us support a no-fly zone. Now, as the decisive UN vote nears, it's time for the biggest outcry we can raise.

We cheered when Libya's people rose up, and we cannot, we must not, ignore their plea for help now, in their darkest hour. Even if you've sent one before, click to send a message to the UN Security Council now:

The UN is split, but the ground is shifting rapidly -- with China, Russia, and Germany arguing against, and the Arab League, the Islamic Conference, the UK, and France pushing in favor. The US and India are on the fence. This is no old-style East-West debate, nor, as some fear, an oil-grab conspiracy. The Libyan provisional council, which France has recognized as Libya's legitimate government, is desperately calling for the no-fly zone and international support, but with each passing day, the danger grows that any help will come too late.

A no-fly zone alone isn't a silver bullet -- it should be matched by still-stronger targeted sanctions and asset freezes, jamming of Qaddafi's violence-inciting broadcasts, and more countries extending diplomatic recognition to Libya's provisional council. Even with all of that, it could fall short. But those opposing strong action must ask whether, with tens of thousands of lives in the balance, they're ready to call for inaction.

International law and the UN Security Council have made clear that, when mass crimes against humanity are committed, the international community has a responsibility to protect people from these crimes, even if their attacker is their own government. While we do not yet know the full magnitude of Qaddafi's crimes, we cannot look away. Click to send an urgent message to the UN Security Council delegates:

In the best-case scenario, Qaddafi would react to a UN resolution about a no-fly zone by ending his air attacks. But if he does not, enforcing the no-fly zone would require strikes on fighters he attempts to use, and possibly air strikes on Qaddafi's anti-aircraft missile batteries. There is a chance that a no-fly zone could lead to deeper international military involvement in Libya.

While the world (and Avaaz) objected strongly to George W. Bush's war in Iraq, and we have advocated for peaceful solutions to conflicts in numerous places, this is not Iraq. If we don't act soon, Libya could look more like Darfur, with massive crimes against humanity committed against whole communities of people. The Qaddafi regime has a long history of torture, massacring its own people and sponsoring international terrorism, and the Libyan people are unified against Qaddafi’s troops – even his own tribe and hometown have distanced themselves from his actions.

The situation in Libya -- and the world's response to it -- is complex, with many different actors and agendas, and the future of a post-Qaddafi Libya remains unclear. While this complexity must dictate the care we take in our actions, for the sake of tens of thousands of Libyan people, it cannot, it must not, render us inactive. Let's make the best choice we can, and act, now.

UPDATE (17 March):The UNSC has agreed to take all necessary measures to protect the people of Libya under threat of attack, including a No-Fly Zone! Together, we flooded the Security Council with 1.1 million calls to action. The Libyan people have called for this support, and we hope it will halt the violence, and give Libya a chance at a path out from tyranny.

UPDATE (18 March): Responding to the UN resolution, Qaddafi's foreign minister today announced "an immediate ceasefire and the stoppage of all military operations." If this is matched by a genuine end to attacks, this is welcome news. Avaaz will continue to monitor the situation closely and work to ensure a just future for Libya.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

* Target: The Mauritanian Embassy to the United States * Sponsored by: Care2.com

Its estimated that 40 percent of the population of Mauritania, West Africa, is either living in slavery or has a relative who is.

Slaves in Mauritania are raised in a social and religious system that reinforces the legitimacy of their situation everyday. Many are told by their masters that the only way to get to "paradise" is by obeying their orders completely. Slaves face beatings and rape on a daily basis, and have no legal way to stop it.

Although Mauritania criminalized the owning of slaves in 2007, anti-slavery activists say that very few are sentenced. Activists also report that authorities often refuse to take accusations of slavery seriously because many of them are slave owners as well.

Mauritania needs to recognise the basic human rights that thousands of citizens are being denied. Join us in putting pressure on the Mauritanian government by sending a message to the Mauritanian Embassy to the United States. Let them know that the practice of slavery is unacceptable and perpetrators need to be prosecuted now.

Oh yes, the Greeks gave us Pythagoras, and Euclid, and Plato, and other wondrous stuffBut balancing their national budget, their budget, their budget, apparently is toughThey used derivatives from Goldman, from Goldman, from Goldman, expenses to postponeAnd had to go to France and Germany, and Germany, and Germany, to get a bailout loan

They borrowed short, at a lower rateLike the Wall Street brokers, we have grown to hateAnd when the markets, get into a funkThey won't buy your paper, if it's rated "junk"

The budget problem of the Greeks, of the Greeks, of the Greeks, are a European painI hope it doesn't spread to Portugal, Portugal, Portugal, Italy or SpainThe ECB and IMF, IMF, IMF, have applied their expertiseTo keep the European Union, from crumbling, from crumbling, just like feta cheese

Let’s hear a little bouzouki![Instrumental]

And when the markets, get into a funkThey won't buy your paper, if it's rated "junk"

Some say that Greece may drop the Euro, the Euro, the Euro so their products can competeAnd if it still is not enough, not enough, not enough, maybe they can sell off Crete.And if it still is not enough, not enough, not enough, maybe they can sell off Crete!

From Merle Hazard, to listeners in Greece: I am a very sincere admirer of the Greek﻿ nation. I envy the richness of your cultural tradition, and am an admirer of Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Pythagoras and, especially now, Aristophanes. My song about the Greek debt issue is directed﻿ only at financial matters. It is not directed at﻿ the people or culture of Greece or Crete. Everything in the song, and the introduction, is a satire; do not take at face value.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

As Qaddafi's jets drop bombs on the Libyan people, the UN Security Council will decide in 48 hours whether to impose a no-fly zone to keep the government's warplanes on the ground.

Together, we've sent 450,000 emails to the UN Security Council, "overwhelming" the Council President and and helping to win targeted sanctions and a justice process for the Libyan people. Now, to stop the bloodshed, we need a massive outcry for a no-fly zone.

If Qaddafi can't dominate the air, he loses a key weapon in a war in which civilians are paying the heaviest price. But as long as his helicopter gunships and bombers are in the air, the death toll will rise. We have just 48 hours left -- let's hit 1 million messages to stop Qaddafi's deadly attacks before it's too late:

The Libyan opposition has called on the international community to help "protect the Libyan people from the crimes against humanity being committed on them". The UK Foreign Secretary says "there are credible reports of the use of helicopter gunships against civilians by government forces."

The head of NATO, meanwhile, has said that any effort to create a no-fly zone would first require a resolution from the UN. In many crises like this one, one UN country or another has vetoed strong positions -- but with Libya, something different has already begun. The Security Council's sanctions are real. UN Ambassadors say that representatives are "substantially united" that Qaddafi has to go. What's needed now is another push from the world's people.

A resolution wouldn't be a silver bullet -- the enforcement of a no-fly zone would be dangerous and complex. But even the serious threat of one could show Qaddafi that his time is up. Our governments need to know that we stand with the people of Libya, and we won't accept delay. Send them a message and forward this to friends and family:

The non-violent movements for democracy in the Arab world have inspired people everywhere. Qaddafi, however, chose the darkest path -- of violent repression to crush a brave and peaceful uprising. In this moment, we can see two futures for Libya: one path of prolonged violence by a dictator against his population, and one in which determined international measures support the aspirations of the Libyan people.

In these crucial days, we must recognize that our own actions, as citizens around the world, affect the fates of our brothers and sisters in Libya. And we must come together in solidarity -- with those who have been lost, and for those who struggling to survive.

Ivory Coast is on the brink of civil war, and chocolate companies could play a critical role in saving lives and bringing peace.

In November, former President Laurent Gbagbo lost democratic elections but is clinging to power despite united international pressure, ruling through his brutal army that has killed hundreds. Cocoa is the country's largest export, and if chocolate companies stop doing business with Gbagbo now, his cash supply to the army could dry up -- and he could be forced to step down.

This situation could spiral into all-out war within days. Let’s flood our favourite brands with messages to suspend trade with Gbagbo now and commit to working only with the legitimate government. Click to send a message directly to leading companies -- and we will publish which companies have cut their financial ties to Gbagbo.

Update - 25th January. After receiving hundreds of thousands of our messages Cargill has announced that it is "temporarily suspending" cocoa purchases from Ivory Coast. Let's push the other companies to follow this lead.

Friday, March 04, 2011

From Thyrsos.gr: Very recently, during constructions on the railway network of Athens, a magnificent Treasure of the Hellenic History was discovered, a masterpiece of the Hellenic Culture, the Sacred Altar of the 12 Gods. Now this Treasure is in immediate danger because of the lack of interest of the Hellenic State, because of the decision of the railway company to bury it as quick as possible. And also know that the Altar and its very site were the center of Athens in Ancient Years. The holiest spot of Athens. Where Hiketes (suppliants) would ask for Mercy! As archaeologists say, it is as important as the golden-elephantine statue of Goddess Athena! This Altar is not only an archaeological remain. It is also Sacred, especially to us, the followers of the Hellenic Ancient Religion. The total devastation of it, means that the Hellenic Culture has been mutilated by the ignorant and dangerous people who rule and they do not respect who they are, where they come from, and especially where they want to lead us, the Hellenes%u2026%u201D

Please help us to spread the news to all civilized people from all over the world, and to saveeven the last minute the Cultural and Spiritual Treasure of our Ancient Heritage.